Manifold

ABSTRACT

A manifold is described, for delivery of radioaerosol to a patient, having a pair of rigid conduits joined at one end to form a first connector and at the other end to form a second connector. A third connector is formed in the first conduit between the first and second connectors and a one way-valve is located between the first and third connector. A second one-way valve is located in the second conduit to permit exhalation by the patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to flow distribution apparatus for radioactiveaerosols. In particular, the invention relates to a manifold utilizedwith radioaerosol delivery systems in nuclear medicine.

2. State of the Art

Lung ventillation scanning using radiolabled aerosols has been studiedfor about the last 20 years. However, until recently when improvedaerosol generating devices have become more generally available,practical applications of such methods have been extremely limited. Oneparticularly useful aerosol generating system is that described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,116,387 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,033, the disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference. The nebulizer described in thosepatents has been found to be particularly useful in generating aerosolshaving a particle size and particle size distribution to make lungscanning a useful diagnostic tool. Relatively recent articles describinglung scanning methodology utilizing radioactive aerosols can be foundat: Radiology, 131:256-258, April 1979; Seminars in Nuclear Medicine,Volume X, No. 3 (July), 1980, pp. 243-251; and The Journal of NuclearBiology and Medicine, Vol. 19, No. 2, 1975, pp. 112-120.

Because of the increased interest in using radioaerosols for diagnosticimaging, there is a need for a compact and practical apparatus fordelivering such radioaerosols to a patient. The invention describedherein is considered to satisfy such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a manifold comprising a first, rigidconduit and a second, rigid conduit joined at one end to form a firstconnector and at the other end to form a second connector; a thirdconnector located in the first conduit between the first and secondconnector; a first, one-way valve located in the first conduit betweenthe first connector and the third connector permitting fluid flowthrough the first conduit in a direction from the first connector towardthe second connector; and a second, one-way valve located in the secondconduit permitting fluid flow through the second conduit in a directionfrom the second connector toward the first connector and preventing flowin the reverse direction. In a presently preferred embodiment the twoconduits define an opening between them and have an attachment meansformed thereon to attach the manifold to a manifold support means.Additionally, the third connector on the manifold is provided with alocking groove to engage a complementary ring in the mouth of anebulizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shielding container;

FIG. 2 is a front, sectional view of the shielding container in section;

FIG. 3 is a front, sectional view of the shielding container includingthe radioaerosol source generator and transport means positioned withinthe container;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the shielding container with the lid removedillustrating the surface configuration of the inner shell of thecontainer;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the inner shell;

FIG. 6 is a view of one end the inner shell of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view of the other end of the inner shell of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the manifold utilized to transport theradioaerosol and the nebulizer connected thereto;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the manifold and nebulizer illustrated in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view of a nebulizer utilized with theinvention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the manifold illustrating the componentparts; and

FIG. 12 is a side view of the cover shield portion of the shieldingcontainer with the transport means and the radioaerosol source generatorconnected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The manifold 88 of this invention, which will be described more fullybelow, is particularly useful with the shielding apparatus and container20 illustrated generally in FIG. 1. Container 20 has an outer shell 24upon which is located a closure lid 22. Lid 22 is hingedly connected toouter shell 24 and can be secured to outer shell 24 by handle members 26(one of which is illustrated) which are also hingedly connected to theouter shell 24. The members 26 function both as handles and as a closuremeans for the container.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, container 20 is provided with aninner shell 27 which is supported on and in outer shell 24. Inner shell27 is formed with a top portion 28 which is adapted to be bonded toouter shell 24 around the periphery thereof. Inner shell 27 additionallyhas a lower portion 29 formed by outer wall 32 and inner wall 34 . Acover shield 30, which will be described more fully hereinafter, isadapted to fit within the surfaces defined by inner wall 34 of the lowerportion 29. Outer wall 32 and inner wall 34 define a channel 36therebetween which can be filled with a suitable radiation shieldingmaterial (not shown) such as lead shot or the like. Inner wall 34defines a nebulizer well 38 which generally conforms to the contours ofthe nebulizer 82 when it is located within well 38.

A support pad 40 is provided at the bottom of well 38 and securedthereto by means of screws 46 which can be seen most clearly in FIG. 4.A radial slot 48 is formed in the support pad 40 to accommodate thebottom portion 85 of nebulizer 82. Also provided in nebulizer well 38are retaining spring elements 42 which are suitably formed from springsteel or the like and are adapted to contact the wall of nebulizer 82 tomaintain it in a stable and upright position during use. Attached to thebottom of outer wall 32 is a plate 44 which is utilized to cover theopening through which lead shot or other suitable shielding material canbe loaded into channel 36. Inner wall 34 is contoured and includes aramp sidewall 50 which defines a ramp 52 extending about the peripheryof inner wall 34 from the bottom of well 38 to the top of well 38 andeventually to groove 58 in the hemicylindrical surface 54 formed at oneend of the inner shell 27. Ramp 52 is utilized to support a fluiddelivery tube which extends from inlet port 84 on nebulizer 82 upwardlyupon ramp 52 through groove 58 where it can be attached to a source ofair or oxygen to drive nebulizer 82 in a conventional manner. Ramp 52provides a convenient mechanism for ensuring that the fluid deliverytube 86 does not kink or become unduly twisted and thus prevent fluiddelivery and operation of the nebulizer 82.

Handles 26 are hingedly connected at pivot points 31 to outer shell 24and are adapted to engage lid 22 in the closed position. Only one hingemechanism has been illustrated but it is understood that handle 26 onthe other side of container 20 is connected in the same fashion. Handle26 is additionally provided with radiation shielding material 45 in theform of a lead plate or the like.

Inner wall 34 also defines a support surface 33 about the periphery ofinner shell 27 dimensioned to mate with cover shield 30, which is formedwith the same design about its periphery. Cover shield 30 is formed witha contoured top plate 60 on which is mounted a handle 62. Attached tothe bottom of top plate 60 is a contoured shield plate 64 which is madefrom radiation shielding material. Both top plate 60 and shield plate 64are formed with a hole 66 extending therethrough to accommodate amovable latch 70 which is utilized to engage the manifold 88.

Movable latch 70 is pivotably attached to a latch support 68 at pivotpoint 71. Latch 70 is formed with a surface 72 and latch support 68 isformed with a surface 74 which are adapted to engage a portion of themanifold 88. Latch surface 72 is movable, whereas latch surface 74remains fixed. A spring-loaded latch rod 76 is provided between latch 70and latch support 68 in order to bias latch 70 to its engaged position.Latch rod 76 is conveniently located within a bore formed in latchsupport 68. Latch support 68 is conveniently attached to cover shield 30by means of screws 77. Means to retain cover shield 30 are provided bymeans of pivotable arms 78 which are connected to the top portion 28 ofinner shell 27 and adapted to be moved over the cover shield 30 when itis in position. The contours of the cover shield 30 define a filter well80 which is adapted to accommodate filter 90 when it is in place as partof the transport means for the radioaerosol, as illustrated most clearlyin FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates generally the relative positions of the variouscomponents of the apparatus when the radioaerosol system is in use. Ascan be seen therein the nebulizer 82 is positioned on support pad 40 inwell 38 and retained by spring members 42 in a stable and uprightposition. The lower end of the nebulizer 82 is provided with a connector84 which is adapted to receive the end of a fluid supply tube 86 whichis supported on ramp 52 and directed through the groove 58 formed ininner shell 27. Fluid supply tube 86 is connected to a source of air oroxygen to drive the nebulizer in a conventional manner. The top ofnebulizer 82 is formed with a molded, inner ring 83 which is adapted tolocate within a groove 118 on a connector 116 at the bottom of themanifold 88, as can be seen most clearly in FIG. 11. The nebulizer 82 isconnected to the manifold via connector 116 and the manifold 88 isengaged by movable latch 70 and thus is secured to cover shield 30.

End 104 of manifold 88 is connected to a biological filter 90 and theother end 106 of manifold 88 is connected to a patient breathing tube 94which extends to the mouthpiece of the patient. An extension 92 isplaced on the end of filter 90 to assist in the support of the transportmeans within the shielding container. When cover shield 30 is attachedto manifold 88, as can best be seen in FIG. 12, cover shield 30 and thetransport means (including manifold 88, filter 90 and filter extension92) and the radioaerosol generating source, i.e., the nebulizer 82, canbe removed from the shielding container as a unit. Thus, in removingthat system as a unit from the shielding container, the operator stillis protected by cover shield 30 in handling the manifold 88, filter 90and nebulizer 82 and associated tubing which may be contaminated withradioactive material. The entire unit can then be placed over a suitabledisposal container and when latch 70 is pivoted to release manifold 88,nebulizer 82, filter 90 and associated tubing also are released so thatall of the contaminated components will be disposed of without undulyendangering an operator.

As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 11, the manifold 88 of thisinvention is formed with an upper section 96 and a lower section 98which when joined together form an inlet conduit 100 and an outletconduit 102 which join at one end to form a connector 104 which isadapted to connect to the filter 90 and at the other end form aconnector 106 which is adapted to connect to the patient breathing tube94. Inlet conduit 100 and outlet conduit 102 define an opening 120 whichis provided with a lip extending outwardly from conduit 100 and 102 intothe opening. The function of lip 122 is to be engaged by surfaces 72 and74 on the latching mechanism. A one-way check valve 112 is situated in agroove 108 formed in inlet conduit 100 between connector 104 andconnector 116. Valve 112 is conventional and can be of the diaphragmtype. Valve 112 permits flow from the atmosphere through the filter fromconnector 104 in a direction toward connector 106 though inlet conduit100. However, the one-way nature of valve 112 will prevent fluid flow inthe reverse direction, for example when the patient exhales. In asimilar manner, a one-way valve 114 is provided in a groove 110 inoutlet conduit 102. One-way valve 114 can again be of the diaphragm typeand will permit flow in a direction from connector 106 through outletconduit 102 to connector 104. Valve 114 will, however, prevent flow inthe opposite direction. As described above, latch support 68 and latch70 are adapted to fit within opening 120 such that surfaces 72 and 74can engage the lower portion of lip 122 formed on inlet conduit 100 andoutlet conduit 102. While lip 122 extends entirely around the peripheryof opening 120, it is understood that only portions thereof would haveto be provided in order to attach manifold 88 to cover shield 30.

In the event it is not appropriate to dispose of the transport means andthe nebulizer 82 immediately after use, the patient tube 94 and thefluid delivery tube 86 can be disconnected and handles 26 can be movedupwardly and latched to lid 22 to position radiation shielding material45 over the ends of the openings in the outer shell at each side of thecontainer. Thus the container 20 effectively isolates the radioactivematerial from the surrounding atmosphere and the radioactive materialcan be left within container 20 until such time as the level ofradioactivity has been reduced to a point that the disposal isappropriate.

During operator use, lid 22 is elevated and an aerosol generator, suchas nebulizer 82 is connected to the fluid delivery tube 86 andpositioned within the bottom of well 38 upon support pad 40. Tube 86 issupported on ramp 52 and directed through groove 58. A radiolabeledsolution such as 99 m technetium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate orsulphur colloid in a shielded syringe in a conventional manner isdispensed into nebulizer 82. Then the manifold 88 connected to covershield 30 and the filter 90 and associated tubing are positioned abovenebulizer 82 and inserted in the contour formed by inner wall 34 ontosupport surface 33. By pushing downwardly on cover shield 30, which isconnected to manifold 88, connector 116 of manifold 88 is forced intothe upper end of nebulizer 82 and groove 118 and ring 83 engage tosecure the nebulizer 82 to manifold 88. The patient tubing 94 can thanbe attached to end 106 of manifold 88, unless it was attachedbeforehand.

After connection of fluid delivery tube 86 to a source of driving fluidfor nebulizer 82, the inhalation process can proceed in a conventionalmanner. As the patient inhales, the patient breathes radiolabeledaerosol generated from nebulizer 82. In the event the fluid flow volumeis insufficient to satisfy the inhalation volume requirement of thepatient, additional air will be brought in from the atmosphere throughfilter extension 92, filter 90, valve 112 and through inlet conduit 100.In that manner the patient does not feel uncomfortable if the aerosolflow volume is too low to satisfy his demands. When the patient exhales,the expired gases pass through valve 114 and outlet conduit 102 whereany radioactive substance is collected by filter 90. At the end of theprocedure, the flow of drive fluid to the nebulizer is ended and thepatient is disconnected from the unit. At that time the filter, manifold88 and nebulizer 82 can be removed from the container 20 as a unit forimmediate disposal or, as has been described previously, handles 26 canbe pivoted upwardly to latch to lid 22 and close the end openingsthrough which the fluid transport system communicated with theatmosphere and the patient.

While the invention has been described with reference to the specificembodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes can be made and equivalents may be substitutedtherefore without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope ofthe claims appended here too.

What is claimed is:
 1. A manifold comprising a first, rigid, tubularconduit and a second, rigid, tubular conduit joined at one end to form afirst tubular connector and at the other end to form a second tubularconnector, said first and second conduits being spaced from each otherto define an opening therebetween;a third tubular connector located insaid first conduit between said first and second connectors; attachmentmeans formed on at least one of said first and second conduits andassociated with said opening to attach said manifold to a support means;a first, one-way valve located in said first conduit between said firstconnector and said third connector permitting fluid flow through saidfirst conduit in a direction from said first connector toward saidsecond connector and preventing fluid flow in the reverse direction; anda second, one-way valve located in said second conduit permitting fluidflow through said second conduit in a direction from said secondconnector toward said first connector and preventing fluid flow in thereverse direction.
 2. The manifold of claim 1 wherein said attachmentmeans includes a lip formed on at least a portion of said one of saidconduits and said lip extends into said opening.
 3. The manifold ofclaim 2 wherein said third connector has means thereon for rigidlysecuring said third connector to a fluid source.
 4. The manifold ofclaim 3 wherein said securement means is a groove formed on the outercircumference of said third connector.